Driving auto like a manual...bad?

[ragingfish]

Ok, so I did it with my sunfire, and i find myself often doing it again with my vibe...I tend to drive my auto like a manual. In other words, I shift into 1 at a light, and then shift up as need be, ya know? Is it bad to do this with an automatic? Now I know most will say, "if you drive an auto like a manual, why not get a manual." Well, cause I've never actually been taught to drive a manual properly...that whole clutch thing might throw me off. lol.

[DopeVibeGT]

I would have to say yes. I've heard this question asked before, and everytime, the answer is that it will. The only exception is if you're towing or such, then you can use 1 or 2 for a short distance. Let the car do the shifting.

[NovaResource]

If you are just upshifting it really won't hurt anything. Downshifting manually, however, is not a good idea. I'd just leave it in drive. The only reason to shift manually is if you were racing and trying to get a little more rpm before the shift but the Vibe auto shifts right at the 6400-rpm redline so I see no need.

[NY Pete]

Clutch action becomes 2nd nature after driving a manual for just a few days or so - then you don't even notice it. Make sure your next car is a stick! Way more fun!

[ragingfish]

I definitely am thinking about it! But, what about a stick makes it get better gas mileage than an auto? I would think an auto would know the best point to shift in terms of maximizing fuel economy...is it the fact the car needs power to shift itself?

[ragingfish]

quote: The best gas mileage setup is the continual variable transmission (ex Saturn VUE).. but you sacrifice the towing power...etc..what's that?

[camthecanuck]

I agree that upshifting should be fine but don't use it to downshift. Audi and Volkswagon and others make a big issue of their shiftable automatics (I can't remember their catch phrase for it) and they are actually quite good but expensive. I would suggest that you consider getting lessons from a driving school (it wouldn't take many) or perhaps rent a stick and with the help of a friend who already knows how to drive a standard hit the back roads and practice. I am in the process of teaching my daughter who doesn't drive very much and has never before driven a stick. She is catching on very readily. Biggest conecern ultimately is making the right moves in a panic situation.

[ragingfish]

quote:Biggest conecern ultimately is making the right moves in a panic situation.can you give me an example of what would fall under that?

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:I doin't want to answer for Cam but....maybe by accident putting the car in reverse.....?I don`t think the tranny will allow you to put it on reverse while running. It is hard to put it in 1st gear at more then 25 km/h.

[ragingfish]

even if i could get it in reverse, i'm guessing it would stall out the car...i accidentally did that on my sunfire...threw it into reverse instead of neutral (can't remember why i needed neutral), stalled the car.one more question on manuals -- you can't get cruise with a manual, right? cause i do a lot of trip-taking, and live off cruise...

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:one more question on manuals -- you can't get cruise with a manual, right? cause i do a lot of trip-taking, and live off cruise...I have 5 speeds manual and cruise control. It works the same way as an auto tranny. The only difference, when you press the clutch, it turn off the cruise.

[ragingfish]

quote:I have 5 speeds manual and cruise control. It works the same way as an auto tranny. The only difference, when you press the clutch, it turn off the cruise.kickass! dude, i'm getting a del...i mean stick next time!!

[ragingfish]

quote:go ahead and shift the auto like a manual, you will just break the bands in the trans and have to get a rebuild or new one, not my 2500 bucks...[poorly thought remark has been removed] love to everyone!

[ragingfish]

oops. my bad. musta read it wrong. sorry for the accusation! love to vibe owners everywhere!